Brighton & Hove Buses is piloting a contactless season ticket system which passengers can use via Google Wallet.
The enhancement, which is said to be the first of its kind in the UK, will allow passengers to purchase a season ticket onto their payment card in Google Wallet.
In association with Google and Littlepay, the feature means season ticket-holders will no longer need barcodes or paper tickets.
Parent company Go-Ahead is set to roll out the system across its regional operation.
It follows an innovative collaboration announced in December 2023 which allowed Brighton & Hove passengers to track tap-on, tap-off rides in Google Wallet.
Kanwar Brar, Go-Ahead’s Chief Digital and Information Officer, says: “This development reflects Go-Ahead’s ongoing commitment to innovation, accessibility, and customer-centric transport solutions, making public transport smarter, simpler, and more inclusive for everyone.”
Jonathan Hill, Head of Transit Partnerships, Google Pay, adds: “Enabling users to buy monthly tickets adds a further layer of convenience to the ability to track pay-as-you-go spending and progress towards daily and weekly travel caps within Google Wallet.
“Now users can make quick, easy and secure payments with a Google Pay tap, and keep informed of their spending for both pay-as-you-go and season tickets in Google Wallet.”
Sheryll Ricketts, Head of Solutions, Littlepay, says: “It is fitting that the operator launching Littlepay and Google’s latest innovation is part of the Go-Ahead Group.
“Brighton & Hove Bus passengers once again lead the way as the first to access prepaid tap-on, tap-off ticketing directly from their Google Wallet. Thanks to the collaboration, shared ambition and commitment from all the teams, we continue to deliver greater convenience to passengers through their digital wallets.”
